Hancock Looks for Sequel to Original 'Superman'

• Print

In the movie business, sequels usually don't measure up to the originals. But Thoroughbred breeder Arthur B. Hancock III, owner of Stone Farm near Paris, Ky., is hoping a 2003 foal he has nicknamed Superman II is every bit as successful as a 1997 colt Hancock dubbed Superman, later named Fusaichi Pegasus. That colt brought $4 million at the 1998 Keeneland July yearling sale, won the 2000 Kentucky Derby (gr. I), then was sold for a world-record price in excess of $60 million as a stallion prospect.

The 2003 colt, by Seeking the Gold out of Angel Fever, by Danzig, was born at 7:40 p.m. on Thursday night, April 10. Fusaichi Pegasus, by Seeking the Gold's sire, Mr. Prospector, was born on April 12, 1997. Hancock co-owns Angel Fever with Mr. and Mrs. Robert McNair of nearby Stonerside Farm.

"He's every bit as good a foal, in my opinion, as Fusaichi Pegasus," Hancock said of the Seeking the Gold colt. " He's the best looking foal I've seen since then. That's why I named him Superman II."

Hancock said the colt was trying to show farm staff that he was boss only a few hours after being born. "He's a strong son of a gun," Hancock said.

The following night at Stone Farm, Words of War, the dam of Suburban Handicap (gr. II) winner and first-year sire E Dubai, foaled a filly by Kingmambo. E Dubai is a son of Mr. Prospector, sire of Kingmambo.

• Print